ROSARIO MORENO AND RUDY CONCEPCION IN IN OCTAVIO SILOS' "TUNAY NA INA" (1939)

Pre-war screen legend Rosario Moreno on the cover of Literary Song-Movie magazine dated August 1938 for the movie "Alipin ng Palad" opposite Rudy Concepcion.

Rosario Moreno (1916-45), dubbed as the era's “Queen of Tearjerkers,” started her movie career as an extra in Nepomuceno Productions’ Diwata ng Karagatan in 1936. Showing her dramatic potential, she was immediately launched to stardom in Luha ng Ina opposite Carlos Padilla, a phenomenal success that reset many box-office records that time. More movies followed: Sa Paanan ng Krus (1936), Anak-Dalita (1936), Ang Kambal (1936) and Pusong Dakila (1936).

One of the most memorable segments in her illustrious career was her successful teamup with screen heartthrob Rudy Concepcion in Alipin ng Palad (1938). It was a huge hit and a love team was born. The two appeared in three more movies--- Mapait na Lihim (1938), Tunay na Ina (1939) and Pakiusap (1940). However, their screen tandem abruptly ended with the untimely demise of Rudy Concepcion (due to pectic ulcer) in 1940 when they were working on their fifth movie, Mahal Pa Rin Kita (1940).

Rosario Moreno, on the hand, who was pregnant, died in 1945 (January 9) when a Japanese bomb directly hit their residence in Sampaloc in the Battle of Manila during the waning days of World War II. She was only 29 years old.

"Tunay na Ina" (1939)

Excelsior Films

Release Date 1939

Written and Directed by Octavio Silos

Cast Rosario Moreno, Rudy Concepcion, Tita Duran, Exequiel Segovia, Precioso Palma, Naty Bernardo

Rosario Moreno and Rudy Concepcion

Most of the Tagalog movies made before the war were either lost or destroyed. Only five survived--- 1. Zamboanga (1937); 2. Tunay na Ina (1939); 3. Giliw Ko (1939); 4. Pakiusap (1940); and Ibong Adarna (1941).

Tunay na Ina, directed by Octavio Solis, once known as the "Dean of Tagalog Movie Directors," tells of a mother's search for her lost daughter. Here's a rare clip of that movie---

Courtesy of Excelsior Films

Synopsis: Magdalena (Rosario Moreno) becomes pregnant because she was raped by Antonio (Exequiel Segovia). Before his death, her father (Precioso Palma) gives up the baby for adoption, thinking that no man can ever understand her past. Magdalena is engaged to Roberto (Rudy Concepcion), a decent, well-off young man. Haunted by her conscience, Magdalena writes Roberto a letter, admitting her past. Her aunt, afraid that the wedding may be called off, intercepts the letter and hides it. Assuming that Roberto has accepted her in spite of her past, she marries him.

Magdalena later becomes increasingly aware that Roberto does not know the truth about her. She tries to locate her lost child. Eventually, she sees a child that she thinks is her missing daughter. The child, Tita (Tita Duran), recognizes Aling Andang (Naty Bernardo) as her mother. The story of how Tita came to Andang matches the story of how Magdalena’s baby was given away. Magdalena is now sure that Tita is her child.

Meanwhile, Antonio comes back and blackmails Magdalena. When Magdalena later refuses to give him more money, Antonio tells Roberto the truth. Roberto throws Magdalena out of the house. She goes to Andang and Tita to spend time with her daughter, not knowing that Junior, her son by Roberto is gravely ill. Junior dies. Magdalena is only redeemed in Roberto’s eyes when the aunt produces Magdalena’s letter. After Andang almost comes to death on Christmas Eve, Magdalena decides to adopt both Tita and Aling Andang into their homes.